Sony MHC-VX5, MHC-VX7, MHC-VX5J User Manual

Mini Hi-Fi Component System

Operating Instructions

3-865-617-14(1)

MHC-VX7 / VX5 / VX5J

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.

This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product. The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT MARKING is located on the rear exterior.

This stereo system is equipped with the Dolby Btype noise reduction system*. * Manufactured under license from Dolby

Laboratories Licensing Corporation. DOLBY and the double-D symbol a are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

About this manual

The instructions in this manual are for MHC-VX7/VX5/VX5J. MHC-VX7 is the model used for illustration purposes. The location of some buttons on MHC-VX5/VX5J is different from that of MHC-VX7, but the name of the buttons are the same.

This system can play the following discs

VIDEO CDs Audio CDs

Disc logo

Contents Audio + Video Audio

(moving pictures) Disc size 12 cm/8 cm 12 cm/8 cm Play time 74 min./20 min. 74 min./20 min.

Note on VIDEO CDs

This system conforms to VIDEO CDs without PBC functions (Ver. 1.1) and VIDEO CDs with PBC functions (Ver. 2.0) of VIDEO CD standards. You can enjoy two kinds of playback according to the disc type.

Disc type You can

VIDEO CDs without Enjoy video playback PBC functions (moving pictures) as (Ver. 1.1 discs) well as audio CDs.

VIDEO CDs with Play interactive PBC functions software using menu (Ver. 2.0 discs) screens displayed on

the TV screen (menu playback), in addition to the video playback function of VIDEO CDs without PBC functions. Moreover, you can play high or standard quality still picture.

* PBC = Play Back Control

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Step 1: Hooking up the system............ 4

Step 2: Setting the time ......................... 8

Step 3: Presetting radio stations .......... 9

Basic Operations

Playing a VIDEO CD ........................... 11

Playing a CD ......................................... 13

Recording a CD/VIDEO CD .............. 15

Listening to the radio........................... 16

Recording from the radio .................... 17

Playing a tape........................................ 18

Recording from a tape ......................... 20

Singing along: Karaoke ...................... 21

The VIDEO CD/CD Player

Playing a VIDEO CD with PBC

functions (Ver. 2.0) ........................ 23

Checking the remaining time ............. 24

Using the on-screen display ............... 25

Locating a specific part of a disc ........ 27

Resuming playback from the point you

stopped a VIDEO CD .................... 31

Setting the sharpness ........................... 32

Playing the CD tracks repeatedly ...... 33

Playing the CD tracks in

random order ................................ 34

Programming the CD tracks ............... 35

Playing CDs without interruption ..... 36

The Tape Deck

Recording on a tape manually ........... 37

Recording a CD by specifying track

order ................................................ 38

DJ Effects

Looping part of a CD ........................... 40

Flashing part of a CD ........................... 40

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound ............................ 41

Selecting the audio emphasis ............. 42

Changing the spectrum analyzer

display ............................................. 44

Selecting surround effects ................... 44

Adjusting the graphic equalizer* ....... 45

Making a personal audio

emphasis file* ................................. 46

Other Features

Mixing and recording sounds ............ 47

Falling asleep to music ........................ 48

Waking up to music ............................. 48

Timer-recording radio programs ....... 50

Optional components

Connecting audio components .......... 51

Connecting a VCR ................................ 53

Connecting external antennas ............ 53

Additional Information

Precautions ............................................ 55

Troubleshooting ................................... 56

Specifications ........................................ 59

Glossary ................................................. 61

Index........................................ Back cover

* MHC-VX7 only

Getting Started

Step 1: Hooking up the system

Do the following procedure 1 to 6 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and accessories.

FM antenna

To the video input

AM loop antenna

1 Connect the speakers.

Connect the speaker cords of front speakers to the SPEAKER jacks as below.

For the front speakers with jacks, connect the speaker cords to the speaker in the same way.

Insert only the stripped portion.

Red/ Solid (‘)

Black/ Stripe (’)

Front speaker (Left)Front speaker (Right)

Notes

• Keep the speaker cords away from the antennas to prevent noise.

• The type of speakers supplied vary according to the model you purchased (see “Specifications” on page 59).

+ –

2 Connect the FM/AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

Jack type A

AM loop antenna

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally.

3 Connect the video input jack of your

TV to the VIDEO OUT jack with the supplied video connecting cable.

Jack type B

AM loop antenna

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally.

FM75

FM75 COAXIAL

VIDEO OUT

When using a TV

Turn on the TV and select the video input so you can view the pictures from this system.

Tip

For even higher quality video images, you can use an optional S VIDEO cord to connect the S VIDEO input jack on your TV to the S VIDEO OUT jack.

continued

Step 1: Hooking up the system (continued)

4 Set SYSTEM SELECT (color system)

to the appropriate position (PAL or NTSC), according to your TV.

PALNTSC

AUTO

SYSTEM SELECT

5 For models with a voltage selector,

set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to position of your local power line voltage.

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

240V

230

120V

220V

If your TV automatically changes the color system according to the input signal:

The factory setting (AUTO) automatically changes the color system of the video output according to the color system of the current VIDEO CD.

If the color system of your TV is NTSC:

Set SYSTEM SELECT to NTSC.

Pictures recorded in the PAL color system will be stretched vertically and will be displayed with the upper and lower parts of the picture cut off.

If the color system of your TV is PAL:

Set SYSTEM SELECT to PAL.

Pictures recorded in the NTSC color system will be stretched horizontally and will be displayed with the upper and lower parts of the screen masked in black.

Note

Be sure to turn off the system before changing the SYSTEM SELECT setting.

6 Connect the power cord to a wall

outlet.

The demonstration appears in the display. When you press , the system turns on and the demonstration automatically ends.

If the supplied adapter on the plug does not fit your wall outlet, detach it from the plug (only for models equipped with an adapter).

To connect optional components

See page 51.

To deactivate the demonstration

When you set the time (Step 2: Setting the time), the demonstration is deactivated.

To activate/deactivate the demonstration again, press DEMO (STANDBY) while the system is off.

To attach the front speaker pads

Attach the supplied front speaker pads to the bottom of the speakers to stabilize the speakers and prevent them from slipping.

Inserting two size AA (R6) batteries into the remote

Tip

With normal use, the batteries should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the system, replace both batteries with new ones.

Note

If you do not use the remote for a long period of time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage.

When carrying this system

Do the following to protect the CD mechanism.

Make sure that all CDs are removed from the unit.

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until “CD”

appears in the display.

2 Hold down CD LOOP and press to

turn off the system.

3 Disconnect the cord.

Using the remote

You can use the shaded buttons shown below to operate Sony TV.

TV/VIDEO

To Press

Turn the TV on or TV . off

Switch the TV's TV/VIDEO. video input

Change the TV TV CH +/–. channels

Adjusts the volume TV VOL +/–. of the TV speaker(s)

TV TV VOL +/ TV CH +/

Step 2: Setting the time

You must set the time before using the timer functions.

DISPLAY

3,52,4

3 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The minute indication flashes.

4 Turn the jog dial to set the minute. 5 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The clock starts working.

Tip

If you’ve made a mistake, start over from step 1.

To change the time

The previous explanation shows you how to set the time while the power is off. To change the time while the power is on, do the following:

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET. 2 Turn the jog dial to select SET CLOCK. 3 Press ENTER/NEXT. 4 Perform steps 2 through 5 above.

Note

The clock settings are cancelled when you disconnect the power cord or if a power failure occurs.

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

The hour indication flashes.

2 Turn the jog dial to set the hour.

Step 3: Presetting radio stations

You can preset the following number of stations:

– 2 band model: 20 for FM, 10 for AM. – 3 band model: 20 for FM, 10 for MW, and

10 for SW.

(Power)

Jog dial

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in the display.

The bands you can receive vary depending on the model you purchased. Be sure to check which bands you can receive.

Every time you press this button, the band changes as follows: 2 band model:

FM ˜ AM 3 band model: FM n MW n SW

2 Press and hold + or – until the

frequency indication starts to change, then release.

Scanning stops when the system tunes in a station. “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for a stereo program) appear.

3 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears in the display. The stations are stored from preset number 1.

Preset number

4 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The station is stored.

5 Repeat steps 1 to 4 to store other

stations.

continued

Step 3: Presetting radio stations (continued)

To tune in a station with a weak signal

Press + or – repeatedly in step 2 to tune in the station manually.

To set another station to the exist preset number

Start over from step 1. After step 3, turn the jog dial to select the preset number you want to store the other station.

You can add a new preset number after the last preset number.

To erase a preset station

1 Keep pressing TUNER MEMORY until a

preset number appears in the display.

2 Turn the jog dial to select the preset

number you want to erase. Select “ALL ERASE” when you want to erase all the preset stations.

3 Press ENTER/NEXT. “COMPLETE” appears. When you erase a preset number, the preset number decreases by one and all preset numbers following the erased one are renumbered.

To change the AM tuning interval

(Except for Middle Eastern models)

The AM tuning interval is factory set to 9 kHz (10 kHz in some areas). To change the AM tuning interval, tune in any AM station first, then turn off the power. While holding down the ENTER/NEXT button, turn the power back on. When you change the interval, AM preset stations will be erased. To reset the interval, repeat the same procedure.

Tip

The preset stations are retained for half a day even if you unplug the power cord or if a power failure occurs.

Basic Operations

Playing a VIDEO CD

You can play both VIDEO CDs without PBC functions (Ver. 1.1) and VIDEO CDs with PBC functions (Ver. 2.0).

You can enjoy two kinds of playback according to the disc type.

DISC SKIP/

EX-CHANGE

(Power)

PLAY

MODE

= +

0 )

VOLUME

1 Turn on your TV and select the

video input.

Refer to the operating instructions supplied with your TV if you need help.

2 Press § and place up to two VIDEO

CDs on the disc tray.

If a disc is not placed properly, it will not be recognized.

With the label side up. When you play a VIDEO CD single, place it on the inner circle of the tray.

To insert a third disc, press DISC SKIP/ EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.

3 Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons.

The disc tray closes and playback starts. If you press CD (P (or CD ( on the remote) when the disc tray is closed, playback starts from the CD whose button is lit green.

Playing timeTrack number

Basic Operations

CD (

(PREV/NEXT)

TV TV VOL +/ TV CH +/

D.SKIP

p 0/)=/+

VOL +/

Disc tray number

continued

Playing a VIDEO CD (continued)

To Do this

Stop play Press p. Pause Press CD (P (or P on the

Select a track or Press NEXT to go forward, scene PREV to go back.

Find a point in a Press 0 or ) during track or scene*2playback. (Lock Search function) 2 Press again to increase the

Select a VIDEO Press a DISC 1~3 button or CD in stop mode DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE (or

Play only the Press PLAY MODE VIDEO CD you repeatedly until “1 DISC” have selected appears.

Play all VIDEO Press PLAY MODE repeatedly

CDs* Remove the Press §.

VIDEO CD Exchange other Press DISC SKIP/

VIDEO CDs EX-CHANGE. while playing

Adjust the Turn VOLUME (or press VOL volume +/– on the remote).

remote)*1. Press again to resume play.

Or, during play or pause, turn the jog dial clockwise (to go forward) or counterclockwise (to go back) and release it when you reach the desired track. (Or press + (to go forward) or = (to go back) on the remote.)*

1 Press once to start searching.

search speed. Each time you press the button, the speed changes as follows: 1 (slow) n 2 (normal) n 3 (high) n 1 (slow) … 3 Press CD (P to stop searching at the desired point.

D.SKIP on the remote).

until “ALL DISCS” appears.

Tips

• Pressing CD (P when the power is off automatically turns the power on and starts VIDEO CD playback if there is a VIDEO CD in the tray (One Touch Play).

• You can switch from another source to the VIDEO CD player and start playing a VIDEO CD just by pressing CD (P or the DISC 1~3 buttons (Automatic Source Selection).

• If there is no VIDEO CD in the player, “CD NO DISC” appears in the display.

• When a disc tray holding a VIDEO CD is selected (or playing), the DISC 1~3 button for that tray lights green. When a disc tray holding a VIDEO CD is not selected, the DISC 1~3 button for that tray lights orange. When all disc trays are empty, the DISC 1~3 buttons all light green.

*1There may be some disturbance in the video

image.

Only for VIDEO CDs without PBC functions (Ver.

1.1).

This function cannot be used during menu playback of a VIDEO CD with the PBC functions (Ver. 2.0).

Playing a CD

— Normal play

You can play up to three CDs in a row.

1 Press § and place up to two CDs on

the disc tray.

If a disc is not placed properly it will not be recognized.

(Power)

PLAY

MODE

= +

DISC SKIP/

EX-CHANGE

With the label side up. When you play a single CD, place it on the inner circle of the tray.

2 Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons.

0 )

VOLUME

To insert a third disc, press DISC SKIP/ EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.

The disc tray closes and play starts. If you press CD (P (or CD ( on the

remote) when the disc tray is closed, play starts from the CD loaded on the tray whose button is lit green.

Track number

Playing time

Disc tray number

continued

Basic Operations

CD (



D.SKIP

p 0/)=/+

VOL +/

Playing a CD (continued)

To Do this

Stop play Press p. Pause Press CD (P (P on the

remote). Press again to resume play.

Select a track During play or pause, turn the

jog dial clockwise (to go forward) or counterclockwise (to go back) and release it when you reach the desired track. (Or press + (to go forward) or = (to go back) on the remote.)

Find a point in Press ) or 0 during a track playback. (Lock Search Press CD (P to stop function) searching at the desired point.

Select a CD Press a DISC 1~3 button or in stop mode DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE.

Play only the Press PLAY MODE CD you have repeatedly until “1 DISC” selected appears.

Play all CDs Press PLAY MODE repeatedly

until “ALL DISCS” appears. Remove the CD Press §. Exchange other Press DISC SKIP/

CDs while EX-CHANGE. playing

Adjust the Turn VOLUME (or press VOL volume +/– on the remote).

Tips

• Pressing CD (P when the power is off automatically turns the power on and starts CD playback if there is a CD in the tray (One Touch Play).

• You can switch from another source to the CD player and start playing a CD just by pressing CD (P or the DISC 1~3 buttons (Automatic Source Selection).

• If there is no CD in the player, “CD NO DISC” appears in the display.

• When a disc tray holding a CD is selected (or playing), the DISC 1~3 button for that tray lights green. When a disc tray holding a CD is not selected, the DISC 1~3 button for that tray lights orange. When all disc trays are empty, the DISC 1~3 buttons all light green.

Recording a CD/ VIDEO CD

— CD Synchro Recording

The CD SYNC button lets you record from a CD to a tape easily. You can use TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The recording level is adjusted automatically.

DISC SKIP/

EX-CHANGE

(Power)

DOLBY NR

2Press § and place a CD.

Then press again to close the disc tray. If the indicator for the tray you want to

record is not lit green, press DISC SKIP/ EX-CHANGE repeatedly so that it lights green.

With the label side up. When you play a single CD, place it on the inner circle of the tray.

3 Press CD SYNC.

Deck B stands by for recording and the CD player stands by for playback. The indicator on TAPE B ( (for front side) lights up.

4153

1 Press § and insert a recordable tape

into deck B.

With the side you want to record facing forward

4 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to record on one side. Select ß (or RELAY) to record on both sides.

5 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press p.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE B 9 to light its indicator after pressing CD SYNC.

• When you record on both sides, be sure to start from the front side. If you start from the reverse side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in lowlevel high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so that “DOLBY NR” appears after pressing CD SYNC.

Note

You cannot listen to other sources while recording.

Basic Operations

Listening to the radio

–– Preset Tuning

Preset radio stations in the tuner's memory first (see “Step 3: Presetting radio stations”).

(Power)

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in the display.

The bands you can receive vary depending on the model you purchased. Be sure to check which bands you can receive.

Every time you press the button, the band changes as follows:

2 band model: FM ˜ AM 3 band model: FM n MW n SW

2 Turn the jog dial (or press = or

+ on the remote) to tune in the

desired preset station.

Turn counterclockwise (or press = on the remote) for lower preset numbers.

Preset number*

Turn clockwise (or press + on the remote) for higher preset numbers.

Frequency

STEREO/MONO

VOLUME

* When only one station is preset, “ONE

PRESET” appears in the display.

To Do this

Turn off the radio Press . Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

VOL +/– on the remote).

TUNER/BAND

=/+



VOL +/

To listen to non-preset radio stations

Use manual or automatic tuning in step 2. For manual tuning, press + or – repeatedly. For automatic tuning, press and hold + or –.

Tips

• Pressing TUNER/BAND when the power is off automatically turns the power on and tunes to the last received station (One Touch Play).

• You can switch from another source to the radio just by pressing TUNER/BAND (Automatic Source Selection).

• When an FM program is noisy, press STEREO/MONO so that “MONO” appears in the display. There will be no stereo effect, but the reception will improve. Press the button again to restore the stereo effect.

• To improve broadcast reception, reorient the supplied antennas.

Recording from the radio

You can record the radio program on a tape by calling up a preset station. You can use TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The recording level is automatically adjusted.

(Power)

DOLBY NR

Basic Operations

4,6

1 Press TUNER/BAND to select the

band you want.

2 Turn the jog dial to tune in a preset

station.

Turn counterclockwise for lower preset numbers.

Preset number

Turn clockwise for higher preset numbers.

Frequency

continued

Recording from the radio (continued)

Playing a tape

3 Press § and insert a recordable tape

into deck B.

With the side you want to record facing forward

4 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Deck B stands by for recording.

5 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to record on one side. Select ß (or RELAY) to record on both sides.

6 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press p.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE B 9 to light its indicator after pressing REC PAUSE/START in step 4.

• When you record on both sides, be sure to start from the front side. If you start from the reverse side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.

• To record non-preset stations, use + and – in step 2 to tune in the desired station manually.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in lowlevel high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so that “DOLBY NR” appears after pressing REC PAUSE/START in step 4.

• If noise is heard while recording from the radio, move the respective antenna to reduce the noise.

You can use any type of tape, TYPE I (normal), TYPE II (CrO2) or TYPE IV (metal) , since the deck automatically detects the tape type. You can also use the jog dial’s AMS functions to quickly search for songs you want to hear. To select either deck A or B, press DECK A 9( or DECK B 9( on the remote.

DOLBY

= +

0 )

VOLUME

(Power)

DECK A 9( DECK B 9(

p 0/)=/+



VOL +/

1 Press § and insert a recorded tape

in deck A or B.

With the side you want to play facing forward

2 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to play one side. Select ß* to play both sides.

To play both decks in succession, select RELAY (relay play).**

3 Press TAPE A (or TAPE B) (

(DECK A (or DECK B) ( on the remote).

Press TAPE A (or TAPE B) 9 to play the reverse side. (Press DECK A (or DECK B) ( again on the remote to play the reverse side.) The tape starts playing.

* The deck stops automatically after

repeating the sequence five times.

** Relay play always follows the following

sequence: Deck A (front side), Deck A (reverse side),

Deck B (front side), Deck B (reverse side).

To Do this

Stop play Press p. Fast-forward Press 0 or ). Rewind Press 0 or ). Remove the cassette Press §. Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

VOL +/– on the remote).

Tips

• Pressing TAPE A (or TAPE B) ( or 9 when the power is off automatically turns the power on and starts tape playback if there is a tape in the deck (One Touch Play).

• You can switch from another source to the tape deck just by pressing TAPE A (or TAPE B) ( or 9 (Automatic Source Selection).

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in lowlevel high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so that “DOLBY NR” appears.

Searching for the beginning of a track (AMS*)

During playback, turn the jog dial the same direction as the 9 or ( indicator to go forward. Turn the opposite direction to go back. (Or press = or + on the remote.)

The search direction, + (forward) or – (back), and number of songs being skipped (1~9) appear in the display.

Example: searching forward 2 songs

Basic Operations

* AMS (Automatic Music Sensor)

Notes

The AMS function may not operate correctly under the following circumstances: – When the unrecorded space between songs is less

than 4 seconds long.

– If completely different information is recorded on

the left and right channels.

– When there are continuous sections of extremely

low level or low frequency sound (like those of a baritone sax).

– When the unit is placed near a television. (In this

case, we recommend moving the unit farther away from the television or turning off the television.)

Recording from a tape

— High-speed Dubbing

You can use TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The recording level is automatically adjusted.

3 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to record on one side. Select ß (or RELAY) to record on both sides.

4 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Dubbing starts.

(Power)

DOLBY NR

1 Press § and insert a recorded tape

in deck A and a recordable tape in deck B.

With the side you want to play/record facing forward

To stop dubbing

Press p.

Tips

• When you dub on both sides, start recording from the front side. If you record from the reverse side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.

• If you set DIRECTION to ß when the tapes you use have different lengths, the tape in each deck reverses independently. If you select RELAY, the tapes in both decks reverse together.

• You don’t have to set DOLBY NR, since the tape in deck B is automatically recorded in the same state as the tape in deck A.

2 Press HI-DUB.

Deck B stands by for recording.

+ 44 hidden pages